The director walks into his living room. She clicks on the light switch revealing a large chandelier hanging overtop of a pure sheepskin rug. The two couches were beautiful white faux leather, and a colossal bookcase covered the entire wall. The room was picture-perfect.
Dante cleans daily to double-check that everything is in order. The giant bookcase had books that varied from old war tactics to dusty how-to cooking books. All of them look salvaged and partially destroyed from the time and aftermath of World War IV. It is honestly phenomenal how many books he has collected. A majority of the libraries were destroyed almost 250 years ago. Her eyes were drawn to the centerpiece of the room.
"I told you not to buy this damn thing five years ago, but now that I'm looking at it, it is growing on me." The director says, walking towards the huge mosaic painting. The painting is of a giant black wolf with glowing red eyes.
"The painting's name is the Apex of Predators," Dante says, pulling his shirt over his head.
The director cocks her head to the side. "Please tell me you didn't name your unit based on this cheesy painting." She said with the irritation in her voice plain as day.
Dante shrugged casually. "I thought it was a cool name when I was younger."
The director shakes her head with disapproval before walking back over to the kitchen. She sits down on the stool next to the counter.
"So you said something about making food?"
Dante moving into the kitchen, opens the fridge and sifts through the pantries for ingredients.
"How about omelets?" He says, cracking open a few eggs on the counter.
"Yeah, sure. I used to love when you would cook for me while staying with me, Danteveous." The director said, watching him work with a grin on her face.
The director took Dante in when his dad sent him to the institute with no resources at eight years old. However, it was apparent that the boy had been alone and fending for himself before he was sent to the institute. He knew how to cook, clean, and look after himself, which would be ordinary for an average child.
However, Dante was not born an average child. His father is Jameson Elceed, the current head of the round table. The Elceed family is the wealthiest and most prominent family out of the seven major families. Jameson is also the senator of the business echelon district city six. Which meant he was in charge of all commerce and trade between the districts, including the prices for goods and services. In short, he is so wealthy that he had his face put on the currency.
"So why are you actually here?" Dante briefly, looking up from cutting the onions and tomatoes into small squares.
"I know my omelets are good, and you miss my cooking. However, you only visit me when there is something wrong. So what is it? Do you have some kind of special mission for my predator squad?"
The director's melancholy expression fades into a tense, more serious expression. "It's time, Dante." The directors gaze was intense.
"I am not ready. My team is not ready. Also, I have been....we have been doing just fine without any help." He replies, still cutting the excess vegetables.
"You must be a little confused, Danteveous. I am not requesting." The director's eyes glowed a bright white once again as the intensity of her gaze deepened. She begins lightly tapping the counter out of irritation.
"I know that, and yet, I still must refuse. I can't do it. Even if it is your command." Dante stops chopping and looks up into the director's eyes.
He knows firsthand what happens to anyone who disobeys one of the director's commands. He has scars on his body that still ache when it rains because of his disobedience as a child. The directors tapping increases in pace, causing the room to begin shaking. Her fury was starting to capsize. The books on the shelves that were so neatly organized began falling to the ground. The chandelier was now swinging rapidly back and forth above them. If they weren't ten stories above the ground, someone could easily mistake this for a minor earthquake or major trimmer.
"I expect your ass to report to the training grounds to meet your newest recruits. I won't entertain any more defiance. You keep pushing, and I will strip you of your rank as captain and give it to Alexander." The director's words gave off a pressure that even Dante could not entirely resist.
"Alexander would never take my position. He loves me too much for that. As much as Valerie bitches she also would never follow another captain. So respectfully...." Dante was cut off mid-sentence, or to be more accurate, he couldn't find the words.
The director was no longer seated in front of him. Dante swivels his head left and right.
"My sweet Danteveous. I see you have already forgotten everything I taught you." The director says, placing her arm around Dante's shoulder.
Her sudden touch made Dante almost jump out of his skin. For the first time in years, Dante felt fear. A fear that immobilized his body and sent panic signals to his mind. His gut told him that he could seriously die if he weren't careful. That the director would actually kill him. Her aura has always been impressive, but her killing intent was the real deal.
A killing intent so strong that even seasoned and hardened contractors would be left shaking and crying for their mommy. Dante could only imagine what she must have gone through to emit such a powerful killing intent. She did grow up during the Dark age and was a crucial figure in the War of Ages. Although very rarely does she show her true power.
"Never forget the credo I drilled into your head." Chills run down Dante's spine and he hangs off every word.
"The strong dominate the weak, and the weak submit to the strong." She says, slowly pronouncing every syllable.
Dante's rational brain knows that the person behind him is his mentor and mother figure. Although his fear receptors are blocking his rational brain, creating an illusion that a monster or demon is behind him. A nightmare that he cannot refuse.
Gritting his teeth in response. "Fine."
"Oh great! I knew I could count on you, my lovely." The director says with a smile. She kisses him on the forehead.
"I know you are still grieving, but it's been three years. It is time to move forward. It's the reason why I made you captain of your own unit. I think working with a new team will be good for you." Her voice is soft and comforting.
Dante picked his knife back up and began cutting up the last bit of the vegetables before placing them in the skillet.
"Do you want garlic and cheese in your omelet?" Dante obviously avoided her previous comment.
The director exhales. She decides just this once she won't push him any further.
"Yes, please. You treat me so well." A thought came to her head.
"Hey, make two more omelets and put them in to-go boxes."
"What am I, a restaurant?" Dante says, cracking four more eggs against the counter.
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